Everything to Know About Harvey Weinstein's Arrest

Madison Feller
Updated
Photo credit: Gotham - Getty Images
Photo credit: Gotham - Getty Images

From ELLE

Back in October, the New York Times and the New Yorker separately published lengthy investigations into allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, ranging from sexual abuse to sexual harassment. Since then, a number of women have shared their own stories of abuse at the hands of Weinstein, prompting the resurgence of the #MeToo movement and ongoing discussions surrounding sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry. Now, Weinstein has officially been arrested on rape charges. Here's what you need to know:

Why was he arrested?

According to multiple outlets, Weinstein turned himself into the police in New York on Friday and was then arrested on charges of rape, sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, and committing a criminal sex act, relating to two separate encounters with women. One encounter was with former aspiring actress Lucia Evans, who says he forced her to perform oral sex in 2004. Evans was one of the women featured in the New Yorker's investigation into Weinstein; the New Yorker reports that the day after its investigation came out, police detectives began to meet with Evans.


According to CNN, the charges were a result of a joint investigation from the New York Police Department and the Manhattan District Attorney's office.

Weinstein left the precinct in handcuffs and is expected to be arraigned on Friday.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

Is he still being investigated?

Multiple outlets are also reporting that Weinstein is under investigation in Los Angeles and London. Federal prosecutors in New York also opened up a sex crimes investigation related to Weinstein. A number of women have also sued Weinstein for harassment.

How are people reacting to the arrest?

Once news broke that Weinstein would be turning himself in, many women, some of whom had previously come forward with allegations against him, took to Twitter to express their relief:

I, and so many of Harvey Weinstein’s survivors, had given up hope that our rapist would be held accountable by law. Twenty years ago, I swore that I would right this wrong. Today we are one step closer to justice. We were young women who were assaulted by Weinstein and later terrorized by his vast network of complicity. I stand with my fellow survivors. May his arrest give hope to all victims and survivors everywhere that are telling their truths.

A post shared by Rose McGowan (@rosemcgowan) on May 24, 2018 at 2:59pm PDT


What about those books he's carrying in the photos?

When Weinstein went to the precinct Friday morning to turn himself in, he was seen carrying a stack of books. According to Page Six, the books included Elia Kazan by Richard Schickel, a biography of a controversial film and stage director. He was also carrying Something Wonderful: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Broadway Revolution by Todd S. Purdum.

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